NYU blocks Oct. 7 talk by Ilya Shapiro
New York University’s law school declined to allow a Federalist Society–organized midday talk by conservative Jewish legal analyst Ilya Shapiro on Oct. 7, citing a Sept. 17 administrative email that warned of heightened security risks and precommitted resource needs during the anniversary week of the Oct. 7, 2023 Gaza attacks. NYU suggested alternative dates and a spokesperson said the school did not cancel the invitation outright but could not accommodate the requested Oct. 7 classroom booking; Shapiro condemned the decision as yielding to a "heckler’s veto."
Education
Politics
🔍 Key Facts
- NYU associate dean Megan McDermott sent a Sept. 17 email requesting the Federalist Society find another date, citing an "increased likelihood of demonstrations and protests" during the Oct. 7 anniversary week.
- The event was to feature Ilya Shapiro discussing his new book and was requested for Oct. 7 at NYU Law; NYU spokesperson Michael Orey said Shapiro is welcome to speak on another date.
- Shapiro issued a statement criticizing NYU’s decision as capitulating to protest threats; the article quotes both the NYU spokesman and Shapiro and reproduces language from the school email.